Supreme Court Won’t Hear A Case Over Homeless People Sleeping On Sidewalks

In Boise, Idaho, a lower court permits homeless people to sleep on sidewalks and in public parks if there is not enough shelter space to house them. People are trying to challenge that.

What We Know:

  • The Supreme Court ruled against people looking to challenge that case. It came out with no comment or dissent, according to Fox.
  • Lawyers representing Boise wrote in their petition to the Supreme Court that “The Ninth Circuit’s decision misapplies and radically expands this Court’s precedent, creates conflicts with five other circuit or state supreme courts, and stretches the Eighth Amendment beyond recognition…In doing so, it eliminates the ability of state and local governments to protect the health and safety of their residents.”
  • Cities like Los Angles have been dealing with massive homeless encampments inside the city. Homelessness has been growing in these cities with increases going all the way up to 16%.
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Boise ruled that criminalizing homeless people for living on sidewalks was a cruel and unusual punishment.

L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino stated: “They’re slacking, and some are not even doing that much.”